Gnarly Hat

This simple knit/purl variation creates curving columns that give the fabric an almost bark-like appearance. The resulting hat has warmth and plenty of stretch, so one of the five sizes will fit whatever head it ends up on. It can be worked in any yarn from worsted to bulky, by adjusting the cast on. Gnarly was written specifically for Wool-Aid (www.wool-aid.org), and because of the amazing stretch is suitable for any charity knitting.

Sizes: Baby/Toddler (Child/Small Adult, medium, large, extra large) to fit 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) inches. The hat is knitted with approximately 3 inches of negative ease, medium will fit most heads. Actual circumference of hat, unworn should be 13-14 (15-16, 17-18, 19-20, 21-22) inches.

Yarn: 80 (100, 130, 145, 180, 200) yards bulky-weight yarn is suggested. Worsted, Aran or Bulky yarn will work for charity knits, just choose the size needles appropriate for your yarn, then cast on the number one (for Aran) or two (for worsted) sizes up from the si